SBF Administrator of the Year

Whether it's saving money on fuel or keeping an important event afloat, Pam McDonald knows how to make it happen: partnerships. The longtime pupil transportation leader has helped strengthen the industry by building vital connections with colleagues and suppliers.

Beekman galvanized the Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools transportation department and implemented numerous improvements, which led to increased efficiency, multi-million-dollar savings and high staff morale.

The industry veteran galvanized the Orange County (Fla.) Public Schools transportation department and implemented improvements that led to increased efficiency, multi-million-dollar savings and high staff morale.

Carnahan, who died suddenly on Friday, was serving his second term as president of the National Association for Pupil Transportation. The industry veteran had diverse experience, as a state director of pupil transportation, a director for school bus contractor Laidlaw, and most recently as a vice president for fleet management solutions supplier Zonar.

Do you know an exemplary school transportation director who deserves recognition for his or her efforts? SCHOOL BUS FLEET is getting ready to select a recipient for our annual Administrator of the Year award, and we’re accepting nominations. The deadline is Friday, Aug. 29.

After 14 years at Bethlehem Central School District, Al Karam has moved to a different — and bigger — district. In his new position as director of transportation for Shenendehowa Central Schools, he will oversee a significantly larger fleet and about twice as many employees.

The director of transportation at Bethlehem Central School District in Delmar, N.Y., has adopted a businesslike approach to running the transportation department, while also focusing on student safety. The transportation team was able to reduce its overall transportation budget by about $900,000 for the 2012-13 school year, and tracking key performance indicators has increased efficiency.

At Bethlehem Central School District in Delmar, N.Y., Director of Transportation Alfred Karam has adopted a businesslike approach to running the transportation department, while also focusing on student safety. The transportation team was able to reduce its overall transportation budget by about $900,000 for the 2012-13 school year, and by tracking key performance indicators such as planned versus actual ridership, they have been able to consolidate their routes from 111 to 86.

Do you know an exemplary school transportation director who deserves recognition for his or her efforts? SBF is getting ready to select a recipient for our annual Administrator of the Year award. The deadline for nominations, Aug. 30, draws nigh.

The director of transportation and fleet service at Colorado’s Adams 12 Five Star Schools has orchestrated adjustments to school bell times to make busing more efficient, for an overall savings of $900,000. He has also set up mechanic apprenticeship programs to help young people enter the field.